Method and apparatus for selective engagement of shelf divider structures within a shelf management system

Abstract

Apparatus and method for selectively engaging and securing an array of shelf dividers to a mounting device which is securable to a display shelf. In the first form a divider is characterized by a divider structure having an elongated vertical wall and elongated horizontal base that operates to divide, organize and support the displayed merchandise. A resilient latch located on the underside of the base of the divider structure selectively engages and secures the divider structure onto a mounting device comprising a receiving member running longitudinally along the length of the surface of the mounting device which is securable along the front edge of a display shelf. The latch and the receiving member each comprise reciprocating (i.e. complementary) protrusions to allow the cooperative engagement of the divider structure and mounting device, thus locking the divider member to and unlocking the divider member from the mounting device to permit the repositioning of the display as desired without necessitating removal of the merchandise from the display. In addition when the divider structure and mounting device are fully engaged, a second protrusion on the underside of the divider member cooperates with a flange or lip on the mounting device to prevent lateral movement of the divider structure and maintain the position of the divider perpendicular to the mounting device and the front edge of the shelf. In a second embodiment, the divider structure comprises a pusher track and a spring urged pusher assembly to automatically push merchandise to the front of the shelf. Another embodiment comprises a divider base without a vertical divider wall, and with or without a pusher track and spring urged pusher assembly, thus pushers and dividers can be used in various convenient combinations within a shelf management system.

We claim: 
     
       1. A shelf divider system including:
 a base having a bottom surface; 
 a mounting member for mounting securely to a shelf; 
 a first slot associated with said mounting member; 
 a first extension from the bottom surface of the base, said first extension being insertable into said first slot in said mounting member, said first slot being adapted to receive the first extension of said base; 
 a first protrusion on said first extension; and 
 a second protrusion on a selected surface of said first slot, said second protrusion being adapted such that when said first extension is inserted into said first slot, said first protrusion mates with said second protrusion so as to lock said base to said mounting member; 
 a second slot in said mounting member: 
 at least one additional extension extending from the same side of the base as said first extension, said at least one additional extension being arranged so as to rest in said second slot when said first extension is inserted into said first slot so as to lock said base to said mounting member; and 
 a divider attached to said base, said divider being capable of separating items on one side of the divider from items on the other side of the divider. 
 
     
     
       2. Structure as in  claim 1  including: a recess formed in said base; and a lip formed on a portion of said mounting member, said lip being located so as to be extendable into said recess. 
     
     
       3. Structure as in  claim 2  wherein said lip has a first surface which, when said base is locked to said mounting member, is in direct contact with at least one second surface at one end of said recess, thereby to securely lock said base relative to said mounting member to prevent rotational or lateral movement of said base relative to said mounting member. 
     
     
       4. Structure as in  claim 3  including a shelf to which said mounting member is fixably attached. 
     
     
       5. Structure as in  claim 1  including means for attaching said mounting member to a shelf.